Bolts make big changes to offensive staff

MOBILE, Ala.  There is little familiarity left on the Chargers' offensive coaching staff.

First-year coach Mike McCoy is expected to announce changes throughout the week. Among them, Hal Hunter, the team's offensive line coach who also carried the title of coordinator in 2012, will not be retained under the new regime.

Other moves include the departure of Charlie Joiner. The Hall of Fame wide receiver and position coach's contract expired at the end of 2012.

Hunter, whom many Chargers linemen have hailed as being in a class of his own, was an offensive line assistant in 2006, the final season of Marty Schottenheimer's tenure. In 2007, he was promoted to offensive line coach upon Norv Turner's arrival.

Hunter is actively searching for his next opportunity in the league.

Joiner played 11 of 18 NFL seasons with the Chargers. He coached their wide receivers for 10 years, spanning from 1987 to 1991 and 2008 to 2012.

In coaching circles, the 65-year-old is considered set to retire after first entering the league in 1969.

Tight ends coach Jason Michael is the only Chargers offensive coach from the Norv Turner era confirmed to be retained. He came to San Diego in 2010.

Frank Reich, former Cardinals wide receivers coach, followed Ken Whisenhunt to San Diego. Reich is the new quarterbacks coach, replacing John Ramsdell.

Whisenhunt spent six years coaching Arizona before he and a large part of his staff were dismissed Dec. 31. The fired included Russ Grimm, offensive line coach and assistant head coach.

Grimm may be an option to succeed Hunter as offensive line coach.

Mike Sullivan, Hunter's assistant, was named the Browns' new offensive line coach last week.